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East Midlands Ambulance Service: Bosses scrap super-hub plans | East Midlands Ambulance Service: Bosses scrap super-hub plans |
(about 17 hours later) | |
Ambulance managers in the East Midlands have decided to scrap an ambitious plan for a series of regional super-hubs. | |
In March, East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) "paused" a move to sell off more than half its stations, but that plan has now been dropped. | |
Unions and some local residents had protested against the proposals. | Unions and some local residents had protested against the proposals. |
The earlier plan also envisioned a series of community stations shared with fire or police services. | The earlier plan also envisioned a series of community stations shared with fire or police services. |
The regional ambulance service, which covers Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Rutland, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire and Nottinghamshire, currently has 67 ambulance stations, but four are vacant. | The regional ambulance service, which covers Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Rutland, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire and Nottinghamshire, currently has 67 ambulance stations, but four are vacant. |
The EMAS board said it would develop a new strategy for the ambulance service's estates. | |
Rob Sissons | |
BBC Health Correspondent, East Midlands | |
East Midlands Ambulance Service has more than 60 stations, which are valued at £45m. | |
The original vision to sell off around half the ambulance stations caused public outcry and was likened by some to selling off the family silver. | The original vision to sell off around half the ambulance stations caused public outcry and was likened by some to selling off the family silver. |
Of course you can only do that once. | Of course you can only do that once. |
Bosses thought that selling off sites could bring in rich pickings but there were protests, petitions and even a Parliamentary debate. | |
Now we are told the financial case for going to fewer, bigger stations simply doesn't add up. | |
This is a case of "back to the drawing board" and a new vision should be ready by March. | This is a case of "back to the drawing board" and a new vision should be ready by March. |
Some stations are already up for sale with offers in excess of £650,000 for the West Bridgford station. | Some stations are already up for sale with offers in excess of £650,000 for the West Bridgford station. |
In future I'd expect more ambulance closures but it will be a more phased plan which might take some of the political heat out of the move. | In future I'd expect more ambulance closures but it will be a more phased plan which might take some of the political heat out of the move. |
You could call it evolution rather than revolution. | |
The earlier plan, announced in 2012, was scrapped because of vocal opposition as well as the high implementation costs. | |
The report now calls on the ambulance service to "review and update the existing estate to address major issues" but still includes plans for a series of local community ambulance stations. | The report now calls on the ambulance service to "review and update the existing estate to address major issues" but still includes plans for a series of local community ambulance stations. |
EMAS said it would also consult "partners and stakeholders" and listen to their feedback. | EMAS said it would also consult "partners and stakeholders" and listen to their feedback. |
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